RUDD, Iowa — Hoover’s Hatchery, among the nation’s largest providers of backyard poultry, recently announced the launch of its first-ever consumer product: a premium chicken coop engineered from heavy-duty recycled plastics.
The company dubbed the product the “Hoover’s Lean-To Easy Clean Chicken Coop,” and is now available in select stores across the country, including Murdoch’s and 400 Tractor Supply Co. locations.
The move signals a strategic expansion for the 82-year-old, family-owned company, Hoover’s said in a statement about the product. For most of its history, Hoover’s has been known for its selection of more than 200 poultry breeds. However, this product marks the company’s first step into housing and hardware.
The Lean-To Easy Clean Chicken Coop was developed to solve the “wooden coop problem” — a persistent problem where traditional wooden structures rot, warp, or become infested with pests within just a few years, Hoover’s explained.
The new coop is made from recycled plastic panels, preventing moisture and droppings from being absorbed into the surfaces. This makes the coop more durable and hygienic, effectively solving the wooden coop problem.
According to Hoover’s, key features of the design include:
- Rapid cleaning: The coop can be cleaned in approximately five minutes using a simple hand rake and garden hose.
- Mite resistance: The smooth construction eliminates the crevices where mites typically thrive, solving one of the most frustrating challenges for keepers.
- Sustainability: Built using heavy-duty recycled plastic, offering an eco-friendly alternative to lumber.
“With over 80 years of experience, we know exactly what hurdles face those entering this journey,” Tony Halsted, second-generation owner of Hoover’s Hatchery, said. “If the maintenance becomes too much, people may choose not to keep a flock. We wanted to provide a product that gives them more leisure time with their birds and less time choring.”
The launch arrives as the U.S. backyard poultry market surges to approximately 11 million households, roughly 13 percent of the population, Hoover’s added. Some cities are relaxing their backyard chicken restrictions, so the market is expected to expand into suburban areas.
For more information about Hoover’s Hatchery and their new coop, visit their website at https://hoovershatchery.com/.
